REMINDERS

Student-Free Day Friday 18th September

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of Week 4 already, the midpoint of the Term is well in sight. The weeks are flying by, and we are in the last month of Winter. Last weekend we had a preview that Spring is just around the corner; however, this week's rain activity has reminded us we are still in Winter. The students have done well with the adjustments put in place for the wet-day timetable, as well as certain sections of the oval and adventure playground being closed due to the wet conditions.

St Simon's Fete 2026

Getting involved in the St Simon’s Fete is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with our vibrant school community, and we welcome help of all kinds. There are many ways to assist, including managing a stall, assisting with setup and pack-down, or lending a hand for just an hour or two. Volunteering not only lightens the load and ensures the day runs smoothly, but it also gives you a fantastic opportunity to meet other parents, forge lasting friendships, and strengthen our school spirit. Most importantly, when our children see parents and carers giving their time and energy to support the community, it sets a powerful, positive example of generosity, teamwork, and service.

However you choose to contribute, your involvement makes a meaningful difference, and we would love to have you on board!

In particular, we are looking for one or two parents who could work together to be the stall holder for the Aussie BBW stall. This is a well organised stall with documentation in place from previous fetes that will assist with its running. If you think you could help out please contact Tom Wursthorn via the school office.

St Simon's Fete - Partnership and Promotional opportunities for local and small businesses

This wonderful event is a highlight of our calendar, bringing together families, friends, and the wider community for a day of fun and celebration. To make this year’s fete our best one yet, we are inviting members of our school community and local businesses to partner with us.

We have a variety of fantastic promotional and sponsorship opportunities available, offering an excellent platform to showcase your business while supporting our community.

If you would like to explore sponsorship options or find out how you can get involved, please contact the Parish Office or reach out directly to Fete Committee member, Bill Leane 0411 289 319.

100 Days of Prep Celebrations

Congratulations to our wonderful Prep students, who recently marked their 100th day of school! Reaching this milestone is a huge achievement, reflecting just how much our youngest learners have grown in confidence, curiosity, and friendship since their very first day at St Simon’s. To celebrate, students participated in a fun-filled day of special activities centred around the number 100. We are so proud of their hard work, enthusiasm, and bright smiles. Click here to see a snapshot of the day!

School Production – When I Grow Up

Excitement is building across the school as our students prepare for this year’s production, When I Grow Up! It promises to be a fantastic showcase of our students' talent, hard work, and creativity. Over the coming weeks, families can expect further communication regarding specific costume requirements for each year level. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm as we bring this performance to life.

2027 planning

Planning for 2027 is well underway at St Simon's, with Prep enrolments being finalised and budgeting in progress. Our planning assumes all current students will return for the upcoming school year. If your child will not be returning in 2027, please contact the school office as soon as possible to assist us with class structuring and financial planning.

At a recent School Advisory Council Meeting, the message was clear from members: acknowledge the complexities of school funding and budgeting. It was also clear that communication to parents about any adjustments to school structures and classes needed to be communicated in a timely manner. I wanted to acknowledge that as the leadership team hears this message very clearly and I will communicate at the earliest opportunity after arrangements have been finalised.

MACS Funding of Catholic Schools - a message from MACS

Currently, all Catholic schools are working through planning and budgeting activities for 2027 to ensure we are well placed to support our staff, students and school communities in the coming year. This includes looking at how we can accommodate the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with school staff.

We recognise the significant financial pressures many households are facing, and we are making a conscious effort to ensure these costs are not passed on through significant fee increases.

We will continue to keep our parent community informed throughout this process. As always, our focus remains on maintaining strong school communities and continuing to deliver a high-quality Catholic education for every student

Child Safety - MACS Care

In this newsletter, as part of our continual commitment to Child Safety awareness, we spotlight Child Safe Standard 5 - Equity is upheld, and diverse needs respected in policy and practice and Child Safe Standard 6 - People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Click here to find out more.

Newsletter Side Sections and Pages

Please take time to browse through the sections and pages of the newsletter. You find more details and information about events and posts you see through Social channels.

Connect with Us on Social Media 📱

Want to see all the latest activities, student achievements, and exciting experiences happening around our school in real time?

Be sure to check out and follow our official school social channels! It’s a wonderful way to stay connected with the vibrant St. Simon the Apostle Primary School community and get a firsthand look at what our students are learning and creating each day.

Facebook: Follow us for community updates, photo galleries, and event reminders.
Instagram: Check out our latest stories, highlights, and snapshots of daily school life.

Search for St. Simon the Apostle Primary School on both platforms, hit follow, and join our growing online community!

School Closure Days Term 3 and 4 - 2026

Throughout the year, the school schedules several school closure days for staff to engage in professional learning and compliance activities. There are also days scheduled for time-in-lieu (TIL) activities that staff attend and run outside the normal hours of the school day. These days are used to acquitt these hours.

When a school closure day is scheduled, Beyond Edu Care will operate a program of care for the day so that families can have their children looked after on the school site.

Term 3

Student Free Day Friday 18th September (First Aid CPR, Compliance)

Term 4

Thursday 8th October - Student Free Day (Time in lieu, School Production student rest day)

Monday 2nd November - Student Free Day (Time in lieu)

Tuesday 15th December - Last day of School for students

nForma

ARE YOU CONNECTED TO OUR SCHOOL VIA THE NFORMA APP?

NEED TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE

In preparation for camps and excursions, please ensure that all Medical and Health information in nForma for your children is up to date.

St Simon’s Staff and Contact Details

A complete staff list for 2026 is available through the newsletter each week by going to Staff Contacts and General Information section

Check out our Community News for the latest activities happening in and around Rowville.

PBL MacKa Award

Students will be receiving their awards at the assembly (week 6) Monday 17th August at 2:30pm